Front Brake Problem

[ozsn]

I just picked up a 2003 Monster 620 i.e. Dark with only 1500 miles on it, for the last four years it has basically only be ridden about 300 miles a year. When I apply the front brake there is a pulsing in the lever and the front wheel feels as if it is suddenly going over a really bumpy road. Also there is a lot of front end dive. Do you think the brake pads have become glazed over, degraded, or are worn unevenly and this is what is causing the problem? Also the previous owner had the suspension and ride height adjusted to be lower (no aftermarket parts or any thing, just what is possible stock), could this be a contributing factor. Are the front forks of the Monster 620 even adjustable? I am taking it to the Ducati dealer this Friday for an inspection and just want to come in there with some idea of what might be wrong. This is my second Monster and I remember the front brake being grabby, but not like this; it feels as if it is gripping then slipping, gripping and then slipping. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Howie]

Clean the brake rotors with a Scotchbrite pad and brake cleaner and make sure the buttons that hold the blade to the carrier move.  If not, free them up.  Sand the pads and bevel the leading edge.  Pray to the Brake Gods.  Go for a ride and bed the brakes.  This would be a DYI project since the dealer would need to charge you for the time spent and the procedure may or may not work.  Expect the dealer to slap on new rotors and pads.

As far as the forks go, they are not adjustable.  All you can do with those forks is change the spring to a linear spring for your weight and use heavier oil.  Unless you are inseam challenged, correct the ride height and set sag.  If you only get the pulsation on hard braking and you are on the heavy side the pulsation could be due to the suspension bottoming.

[scott_araujo]

+1.  I had the same problem with my '03 800 bought used with 1800 miles.  Did what Howie said and now all is well.  Make sure you use a real name brand ScotchBrite pad.  The knock offs aren't the same.

Scott

[uclabiker06]

If it doesn't go away your rotors are probably warped (bent).  Thats what happened to mine...sucks.

[scott_araujo]

As far as the 'lowering' I'm not sure what they did.  This year Monster doesn't have ride height adjustment on the rear.  Maybe they set the preload on the rear shock really low.  You can lower the front by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  If you see more than about 1/4" or so of the fork tube protruding past the top triple clamp then that's probably what they did.  It's easy to change back, you just need to get the spec for the height from the factory manual.  It's measured from the bottom triple clamp to the bottom of the fork tubes.

None of this should affect the pulsing you feel.  Oh, and significant fork dive with the stock progressive spings is common.  I swapped them out for heavier, straight rate springs and it is much better.

Scott